Navigating People to God. We are one church in multiple locations. Lead Pastor, Drew Sherman. NRH Campus & Teaching Pastor, Luke Davidson.
God’s primary will for your life is not in the circumstances you inhabit; it’s the person you become.
In the darkest of days and through the toughest times, Jesus calls us to let our light shine. In a world full of hate, you can be a shining light.
When that sinful woman emptied her jar on Jesus’ feet, she embodied the true worship that He had come to find (John 4:23-24). To worship Him rightly, though, she needed to come to grips with the truth about herself. The Gospel is only Good News to those who’ve reckoned with the bad news of sin and death. The true beauty of Jesus is only visible to those who have seen the ugliness of their rebellion against God. Unlike Simon, the woman in this story knew she was unworthy to come into Jesus’ presence. Even so, Jesus didn’t just receive her gift; He affirmed it as an act of worship more precious to Him than whatever Simon may have laid out on his table. The same is true for us. In ourselves, we are unworthy to set foot in God’s throne room. Yet, in and through Christ, we’re invited to step boldly into the presence of our heavenly Father.
In this passage, Jesus doesn’t mince words about the radical demands of living faith. As He walks along the road (Luke 9:57), he addresses three potential followers. When the third wants to go and bid his family farewell, Jesus says, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (vs. 61-62). These words are hard to hear, but they’re honest. Jesus says, if you’re with me, then you’re with me. There’s no lukewarm faith allowed here; there’s too much at stake to play it safe. Grip the plow, get your hands dirty in the fields, get to work, and don’t give up. It’s not hard to imagine why so many people wanted to follow Jesus and learn from Him. What is hard to grasp, though, is how hard He made it for them to come and follow: give up your house, skip your father’s funeral, leave home without saying goodbye. It may seem harsh, but Jesus knew the high cost was worth the reward. We are called to grip the plow with both hands and not look back. As a Church, we do not want to be content with simply attending a church; we want to engage in a community committed to working in the fields and completing the mission. A follower is not someone who attends; a follower is personally engaged.
We must learn the benefits of honest self-reflection, the importance of asking God to help us identify and break unhealthy cycles that stifle us, and our need for each other’s support in order to leave a healthy legacy of faith, goodness, and love.
There are misperceptions about the God of the Bible, how they developed, and why they are toxic to God’s purposes. Understanding the relationship God desires to have with his people is paramount.
There are some who hold the perspective that racism is no longer a significant issue in our society and that continued discussion of it is making things worse, and others who have personally been impacted by racism in significant ways. We must listen to and respect others’ perspectives and especially their stories.
We must address addictive behaviors — what the Bible calls “strongholds” — that often get passed along from one generation to the next.
HOME — There’s no place like it. No matter your background, your experiences, or even your choices, the feeling of home resonates with everyone—a desire to belong, to feel welcome, and to be loved.
EASTER is about coming HOME, and Jesus is inviting you to a HOMECOMING like never before.
Investing in the Kingdom of God, out of love for Jesus and for each other, always results in more reward to the giver.
We could all use a little more peace in our lives. How do we find the pathway to lasting peace? It's much simpler than we realize. It's not found in something but someone.
This is not a new thing. It's a human thing. We all pursue one thing whether we realize it or not. We must ask ourselves, "Are the things that we really want even worth having?"
The world we live in today may be divided as ever. No matter your personal stance on key issues or hot topics, we must choose to act different and be different in order for us to be one team with one dream pursuing one thing.
It's human nature to snuggle up to the edge of irresponsibility or disaster and stay there as long as possible. But instead of wondering how close we can get before crossing the line, we need to ask ourselves perhaps the most important question we can ever ask.
Sometimes an option we're considering creates tension inside of us. When that happens, it can be tempting to ignore the discomfort or brush by it. But instead of doing that, we need to pay close attention to it.
Your life is more than random, disconnected events. It's a story being written. Whether it's a thoughtful response or an emotionally fueled reaction, we write the stories of our lives one decision at a time.
The easiest person to deceive is the person in the mirror. But when we do the hard work of being honest with ourselves, we’re on our way to not selling ourselves on a potential regret.
We never know what or who hangs in the balance of the decisions we make. But we do know that our decisions determine the direction and quality of our life.
What makes someone act like a hypocrite? Are there areas of hypocrisy in my life? In this message we learn to love, understand, and help a hypocrite, while examining our own hearts.
Some people are just endlessly needy. Learn how to help needy people without hurting them.
Know someone notorious for finding fault in everything? Is it you? Learn the tools to respond to overly critical people and ultimately guard our hearts against becoming overly critical ourselves.
Are you or someone you know a controlling person? Learn how to recognize the weapons of a controlling person and learn how we can cultivate healthy relationships with appropriate boundaries.
Fostering a culture of belonging is a messy process, but it holds a massive possibility for everyone involved: a growing relationship with Jesus.
When someone believes in us, we feel like a superhero, ready to conquer the world. When someone cheers us on, we can face anything life brings our way. The generation behind us needs someone to believe in them and cheer them on—are you ready to help them win?
We want to be open-minded, but we naturally resist things we can't control or don't understand. So how can we learn to be open to changing our ideals and beliefs, especially if we may be wrong about something? It begins with a simple prayer.
Jesus told his followers to pray to avoid temptation. But before we can pray that with a clear conscience, there are some things we need to ask ourselves first.
If God already knows my needs, why pray? Because the purpose of prayer is to surrender your will, not impose it.
At one time or another, we’ve all been told we should pray. But how should we pray? Jesus’s disciples had the exact same question.
Do you find yourself seeking comfort and convenience in your life? So did Nehemiah until he decided to follow his convictions and changed his life and many others in his community.
It seems we live in a culture where everyone needs to have an opinion about something. We are slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to become angry. Maybe the most important, the wisest, or spiritual thing to say is...nothing.
We become what we focus on. Are you intentionally following your beliefs and changing because of them?
Knowing when we need help takes being honest with ourselves. Saying I Give Up might be the strongest thing you could say.
We love french fries, sunsets, and our mothers. What does saying I love you mean and why is it important?
Words can be our biggest asset or liability. Recognizing the need and saying I'm sorry when appropriate might be the beginning of healing a hurt.
Screens are an incredible tool and it is amazing what we can do with them. But with all tools, it always depends on how we use them. God always uses technological advances to spread His Word and the love of Jesus. He has orchestrated technology so we could get His message out all over the world.
Don’t allow a good thing to become a god thing in your life. Instead of putting our screens on the altar, we have made them the altar. Where you turn for comfort reveals what you put your hope in. God wants to give you wisdom and direction, for you to power down and give Him space to work in your life.
When your mind and emotions have been hijacked by a screen, when you’re constantly distracted throughout your day, it becomes incredibly difficult to hear from God. Is it possible that God is trying to provide some clarity, but you’re too busy staring at a screen? You can miss the ways He’s directing you, guiding you, and leading you.
When Jesus died, His disciples’ world fell apart. We all know the feeling. But God wasn’t done. He was working in ways His people couldn’t see. The best news we’ve ever received is the news that spread on the first Easter morning. Jesus rose from the dead, just as He promised!
God, what do you want me to do next? God, am I following your plan? These can be frequent prayers for people who want to know God’s will and fulfill it. But what if living out God’s plan for you has less to do with a specific decision and more to do with how you approach whatever comes your way? In this message, we’ll shift from hoping we’re following the “right” plan to knowing what God really wants from us and for us.
We often wonder what it will cost us to follow Jesus. We may even ask, “Is it really worth it?” What will it cost us at work, in our relationships, in our finances? But what if Jesus wants more for us if we will just trust him and go “all-in”?
This can sound intimidating, but God is a good father who sent his Son to give us a fully abundant life. In order to get the life Jesus wants to give you, you have to let go of the one you are currently holding onto.
We all have a picture of who we think God is. These pictures and beliefs have been shaped by things we have learned and experienced along the way. But what if you have been given an inaccurate picture of who God really is?
A person's last words are often loving and tender. There's no talk about the weather or sports. As the Apostle Paul gives his last words, he quotes the words of Jesus and connects grace to generosity. He encourages us to trust in God's grace and live radically generous lives.
When we hear the word "legacy," we often think about leaving money, property, and possessions behind to those we love. Legacy is much more than those things. We must ask ourselves, "What do I want to be remembered for?"
If we’re honest with ourselves, many of us don’t like the word "Surrender." It feels like we are losing, and we don’t like to lose. In order for us to win, however, we must surrender to God. There will always be opposition, but it won't be with God.
In Acts 4 we learn about the boldness of the early Church. God has given us the same boldness through the Holy Spirit. At Compass, we will NEVER stop talking about the goodness and greatness of Jesus. We cannot stop sharing what we have said and what we have seen.
Meaningful relationships are the backbone of life. We were created to live in community. Even the greatest TV shows all center around this idea. Everyone longs and to be needed and to be known. God has an answer for us to build the best version of community.
Our mission is Navigating People to God and it is an Unstoppable Mission FOR everyone, everywhere. God’s heart has always been to rescue and restore as many people as possible. Who fuels God's rescue mission to reach everyone, everywhere? We do.
Don't like the church? Is that your fault or the church's? In this episode of Brand:New, we expose how the church veered off course.
Want to know the one thing Jesus said you can’t avoid with loopholes, shortcuts, or workarounds? Watch this episode of Brand:New.
Religion is powerful—so powerful it can shape the way we view ourselves and treat others. For more, watch this episode of Brand:New entitled 'Recycled.'
The arrival of Jesus signaled the end of the Temple Model and the beginning of something entirely new! For more, watch this first episode of Brand:New entitled Letting Go.
While we may feel drained or distracted — the pressure of the world around us, Jesus brings us real peace. Look at the time period in which God sent Jesus to this earth. It was a time of oppression, pain, chaos, unrest. God always shows up in the seasons we need Him the most. If Jesus shows up when we need him the most, who might be needing you to show up in their life? Who needs you to be a bringer of peace. The best gift you can give anyone is peace.
The one thing Jesus promises you is hope — and it's hope for those who can't find it. Hope is more than a feeling of expectations, it is a feeling of deep trust.
Good News comes to the unlikeliest of people — People who don’t deserve it. People who feel less-than. 400 years of silence and then God sends good news — 2020 has felt like 400 years of silence. God’s good news is that you are not alone; and God has not abandoned you. Imagine if, for 400 years, all you got was bad news — or no news at all. When you’re in the waiting period it seems as though all is lost. In fact, most of us walk away during those seasons. But, what if tomorrow is the day everything changes? Don’t walk away in the delay.
You want to know the Bible better because you know the Bible will make you better. But where should I start? And how can I progress past the confusing parts? Core52 is your guide through the maze of a very big book. Welcome to the fast-track of biblical training.
Author, Pastor, and Speaker, Mark Moore identifies the most power-packed passages and distills them into a digestible format for busy people who want to gain proficiency with Scripture. Core52 is a better way to know the Bible better.
We've got a problem. Everybody knows it. Everybody sees it. Everybody feels it. It's the elephant and the donkey in the room. It's the deep division and thick tension around politics in America today. We need help between the separation of church and hate. Everyone is politicked off! There are questions we need to ask ourselves and answer before we vote.
Have you ever been misquoted? No one likes it when what we have said has been twisted around. God, Jesus, and the Bible are often misquoted. Imagine God & Jesus saying, "I Never Said That" to many misconceptions in our culture today.
Have you ever been misquoted? No one likes it when what we have said has been twisted around. God, Jesus, and the Bible are often misquoted. Imagine God & Jesus saying, "I Never Said That" to many misconceptions in our culture today.
Have you ever been misquoted? No one likes it when what we have said has been twisted around. God, Jesus, and the Bible are often misquoted. Imagine God & Jesus saying, "I Never Said That" to many misconceptions in our culture today.
There are many in our communities who have already tuned out or been turned off by the church. How do you create a church unchurched people love to attend? How do you connect with this person on the couch who has no interest, and quite possibly has already said no to church, and maybe even Jesus?
For far too long, the church has been known for what it is against. We want to be known for what we are for. We must first understand that God is FOR us.
Most of us know something about God, and we know a little more about Jesus. But what—or who—is the Holy Spirit? Is it a ghost? Is it a force? Is it even an “it”? The Holy Spirit is a mysterious part of our faith. In this message, we’ll remove some of the mystery and in doing so, we’ll discover the path to a fulfilling life in an empty world.
We tend to think God was involved in the beginning, Jesus came later, and the Holy Spirit followed. But that isn’t the case. From the beginning, the Holy Spirit brought order to chaos and light to the darkness. That was true in creation, and that can be true in your life too.
Most of us know something about God, and we know a little more about Jesus. But what—or who—is the Holy Spirit? Is it a ghost? Is it a force? Is it even an “it”? The Holy Spirit is a mysterious part of our faith. In this message, we’ll remove some of the mystery and in doing so, we’ll discover the path to a fulfilling life in an empty world.
If there's a gap between where you are and where you wish you were, this simple principle can close that gap.
God's wishes for our lives can cause a fight-or-flight response in us. But this one thing can help us break through our fears and live life to the full.
Whether it's your health, your relationships, your finances, or your faith, there's an area of your life in which you can't seem to make progress. But what if there was a way to get from where you are to where you want to be?
We've all made wishes about our lives. But what does God wish for you?
We honor the moms in our lives with a message from four incredible moms who happen to be the wives of our teaching pastors. They have an encouraging message called the Seasons of Motherhood. The four of them happen to be in different seasons of being a mom, and they're going to give you some encouragement and wisdom no matter the season of life you're in right now.
We realize that days like Mother’s Day can create tension in some families. Mother's Day can be really hard. We all have different relationships with our moms. Some have moms who are living and have healthy relationships and friendships with their mom. We love our moms and couldn't imagine living without them. Maybe your mom has gone to be with the Lord, and you miss her so much. Maybe this is the first Mother's Day without her. Maybe you don't have a good relationship with your mom, and there are some heavy emotions you have. We also recognize there are some moms whose relationship with their kids is extremely difficult. You wonder if they are going to call or when will you hear from them? Maybe some of you want to be a mother and your longing for that, but you're struggling with infertility and find yourself in waiting mode. Maybe you’re a mom and you just feel like no one sees you, let alone honors you.
Wherever you are, know that we love you, we’re praying for you, and we're here for you. We hope this is a blessing and a joy to you.
Caleb Kaltenbach is a pastor and founder of The Messy Grace Group where he helps churches love and create belonging for those who relate as LGBTQ without sacrificing theological convictions. He also authored God of Tomorrow and Messy Grace (where he discusses being raised in the LGBTQ community, following Jesus, and how loving others doesn’t require shifting beliefs).
Besides speaking at conferences and churches, Caleb has been a guest with The New York Times, Fox and Friends, The Glenn Beck Show, The Eric Metaxas Show, Christianity Today, Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast, Church Leaders Podcast, The 700 Club, Moody radio shows, Q Podcast, Dallas Seminary podcasts, and more.
A graduate of Ozark Christian College and Talbot School of Theology (Biola University), he received his doctorate from Dallas Theological Seminary. In addition to having served as a lead pastor and associate pastor, Caleb has served on the boards of ministries and colleges. He and his family live in Southern California.